Nursing is a dynamic and multi-faceted profession that demands a comprehensive skill set beyond clinical proficiency. Learning Outcome 3 (LO3) education emphasizes self-awareness, resilience, and effective communication in shaping a nurse’s professional identity. This narrative seeks to delve into the profound significance of these core elements, providing a detailed exploration of their relevance in nursing practice and drawing connections to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code (2018).
Self-awareness in the nursing context goes beyond mere acknowledgment of personal biases. It constitutes an ongoing process of introspection, requiring nurses to recognize and comprehend their emotions, values, beliefs, and professional strengths and weaknesses. Self-awareness forms the foundation for nurses to build cultural competence, maintain professional boundaries, and provide patient-centered care (Ghossoub et al., 2020).
In the NMC Code (2018) context, self-awareness aligns seamlessly with the overarching principle of upholding professional standards. Nurses are ethically obligated to continuously self-reflect, recognizing and addressing personal attitudes or biases that might impede the delivery of equitable and compassionate care. The code underscores the imperative for nurses to sustain self-awareness, ensuring their actions consistently align with the ethical standards mandated by the regulatory body. Self-awareness comes in three aspects: personal awareness, professional awareness,contextual awareness, and conscientious awareness (Henshall et al., 2020).
Developing self-awareness involves recognizing one’s biases but also understanding how these biases may impact patient care. For example, nurses who are aware of their cultural biases can take proactive steps to ensure culturally competent care. This heightened self-awareness fosters an environment where patients feel seen, heard, and understood, promoting a more holistic approach to healthcare (A, 2018).
Resilience in nursing is a multi-faceted capacity that extends beyond mere adaptability to changes. (Henshall et al., 2020)It encapsulates the ability to rebound from challenges, maintain a positive mindset in adversity, and prevent burnout. The dynamic nature of the healthcare environment often subjects nurses to emotionally charged situations, unexpected crises, and intricate patient needs.
LO3 accentuates the cultivation of resilience as a fundamental facet of nursing education. Resilience is not a static trait but a skill that can be developed over time. It involves the ability to bounce back from difficulties, adapt to changes in the work environment, and persevere in the face of stress. Nurses are encouraged to prioritize their well-being, seek support, and actively cultivate resilience. By doing so, nurses not only endure the demanding nature of their roles but also contribute positively to the overall efficacy of the healthcare team.
Resilience in nursing involves developing coping mechanisms, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and seeking support from colleagues and mentors. For instance, a nurse facing a particularly challenging situation, such as losing a patient, may draw on resilience to navigate the emotional impact and continue providing quality care to other patients. Resilience contributes to sustained high-quality care, fosters a positive work environment, and ensures the well-being of the nursing workforce (Henshall et al., 2020).
Effective communication is a foundational pillar in nursing practice, encompassing the clear and compassionate exchange of information. It transcends the mere conveyance of accurate information, involving a deep understanding of the diverse needs of patients and seamless collaboration within the healthcare team. Effective communication is a dynamic process that includes verbal and non-verbal elements, such as maintaining eye contact, employing appropriate body language, and adapting communication styles to suit varied situations.
Within LO3, the emphasis on communication skills underscores their pivotal role in coordinating care and ensuring a cohesive team response. The NMC Code (2018) explicitly addresses communication within its principles, emphasizing the importance of treating individuals with dignity and respect. Clear and compassionate communication aligns seamlessly with the code’s directive to provide person-centered care, fostering a therapeutic relationship between the nurse and the patient.
Effective communication involves active listening, empathy, and cultural competence. A nurse who communicates effectively conveys information accurately and establishes a rapport with patients, promoting trust and collaboration. For instance, a nurse adept at effective communication can navigate difficult conversations, such as discussing a severe diagnosis with a patient and their family, with sensitivity and clarity.
There is an intricate relationship between emotional intelligence and Learning Outcome 3 (LO3). Ghossoub et al. (2020) define emotional intelligence as perceiving, understanding, and managing emotions within interpersonal contexts. Emotional intelligence proved pivotal in a high-stress healthcare environment, facilitating thoughtful medical responses and nurturing empathetic patient care.
Effective management of one’s emotions, adept interpretation of non-verbal cues, and a nuanced understanding of the emotional needs of both patients and colleagues emerged as essential components, significantly influencing teamwork and communication dynamics. The symbiosis between emotional intelligence and the principles enshrined in the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code (2018) became apparent, particularly in upholding compassion, dignity, and respect in patient interactions.
Recognizing the indispensable role of emotional intelligence in delivering compassionate and person-centered care, there exists a commitment to ongoing cultivation and refinement of this skill. The evolving healthcare landscape necessitates a proactive approach to developing emotional intelligence, acknowledging its intrinsic link to contemporary healthcare practice’s ethical standards and nuanced dynamics.
The NMC Code (2018) fortifies the interconnectedness between self-awareness, resilience, effective communication, and emotional intelligence by underscoring the principles of compassion, professionalism, and person-centered care. Self-awareness becomes indispensable for recognizing personal biases that may compromise compassionate care. Resilience ensures that nurses approach challenges positively, contributing to effective and person-centered care delivery. Effective communication, as underscored in both LO3 and the code, is vital for preserving the dignity of individuals and upholding the principles of professionalism.
The intricate relationship between emotional intelligence and LO3 involves perceiving, understanding, and managing emotions in a high-stress environment. Emotional intelligence, crucial for thoughtful medical responses, aligns with the NMC Code (2018) principles of compassion, dignity, and respect. Recognition of emotional intelligence’s role in delivering compassionate care prompts a commitment to ongoing development.
In summation, self-awareness, resilience, and effective communication emerge as integral elements of LO3 in nursing education and are also explicitly buttressed by the ethical standards articulated in the NMC Code (2018). These elements collectively form the backbone of competent, compassionate, and ethically responsible healthcare professionals. Nurses can adeptly navigate the intricacies of their profession through the continual cultivation of self-awareness, the nurturing of resilience, and the refinement of practical communication skills. This commitment ensures patient-centered care and upholds the highest standards of ethical practice in the dynamic landscape of healthcare.
REFERENCES
A;, R. S. A. (2018, November 28). Self-awareness in nursing: A scoping review. Journal of Clinical Nursing. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30362645/
Ghossoub, Z., Nadler, R., & El-Aswad, N. (2020). [PDF] Emotional Intelligence, resilience, self-care, and self … Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, Self-care, and Self-leadership in Healthcare Workers Burnout: A Qualitative Study in Coaching. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Emotional-Intelligence%2C-Resilience%2C-Self-care%2C-and-Ghossoub-Nadler/2c0665fedb563b902311bc271658b69981664a24
Henshall, C., Davey, Z., & Jackson, D. (2020, April 15). Nursing resilience interventions are a way forward in challenging healthcare territories. Journal of Clinical Nursing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7228387/
Stanley, D. (2017, January 20). Reflection and emotional intelligence – clinical leadership in nursing … Reflection and Emotional Intelligence. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781119253785.ch15
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